Linotype-machine.



m. 630,!I2. Patented Aug. l, I899. J. B. ROGERS.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec. 9, 1898.)

('No Model.)

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no STATES UNI PATENT OFFICE. I

JOHN R. ROGERS,

LlNOTYPE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,112, dated August 1, 1899.

Application filed December 9,1898. $erial No. 698,761. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN R. ROGERS, of New York, (Brooklyn,) county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

In the Mergenthaler linotype-m achine,such as represented in Letters Patent No. 557,000, it is the common practice to make use of matrices representing characters other than those represented in the keyboard. These extra or sorts matrices are inserted into the matrixline in the course of composition byhand and are automatically delivered by the machine from the distributer at a common point. Ordinarily they descend by gravity through a receiving-tube into a sorts-box at the front of the machine, in which they are received at random.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple means by which these sorts-matrices may be automatically assembled or set up in line in front of the operator, so that he may readily select those desired for use and so also as to prevent the matrices from battering and injuring one another," as frequently happens when they are delivered into the sorts-box.

To this end my invention consists in the combination of a stick or holder adapted to receive the matrices successively and maintain them in line, an assembling or feeding device by which the matrices are fed forward one after another to the line and the increasing line pushed bodily forward, and a slide or resistant against which the line is advanced and by which the matrices are maintained in an upright position.

In the drawings I have illustrated my device in its most simple form as applied to an ordinary linotype machine; but it will of course be understood that it may be modified in form and detail, provided it retains the essential characteristics and the mode of action above described.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the keyboard and adjacent parts of a Mergenthaler machine with my matrix-stacking device applied thereto. Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical cross-sections on the correspondingly-numbered lines of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the ordinary magazine, in which the usual complement of matrices is stored, and B the tube through which the extra or sorts matrices are automatically delivered one after another from the distributing mechanism of the machine, as usual.

C represents my stick or holder, ordinarily a foot, more or less, in length and of L form in vertical cross-section, so that a large number of matrices standing on end may be held in line thereon. This stick is secured rigidly on the front of the machine adjacent to the keyboard and in convenient reach of the operator, being sustained by an arm or bracket 0, screwed to the frame of the machine at c. The right-hand end of this receiver is in such position that the matrices descending through the tube B will be delivered therein, the mouth of the tube being at such height that the matrices escaping therefrom may be car ried to the left. In the end of the stick and to the right of the tube is mounted on a horizontal shaft a rotary assembling or feeding wheel I) of angular form, so that as the matrices are delivered successively to its left it serves to push them forward, adding them to the line in front and advancing the line bodily in order to afford room for the succeeding matrices. The assembler-wheel D is provided with a pulley E and driven by belt F from a pulley G, applied to one of the ordinary shafts of the machine.

H represents a sliding block or resistant mounted in the stick to support the forward end of the matrix-line and maintain the matrices in an upright position. .It will be observed that under the above arrangement the sorts-matrices descending through the tube B are automatically received and assembled in line in the stick and held in compact order, while at the same time they are exposed so that the operator may instantly select those which are required for use and transfer them one ata time to the line in course of compost tion.

In the form shown the stick consists simply of a vertically-arranged plate or bar 0 forming the back of the stick, and a horizontallyarranged bar 0, forming its bottom, the two being connected by angle-plates c riveted thereto. Obviously, however, the stick may be made in one piece of metal or otherwise constructed at will, provided only it is adapted to receive and sustain the matrices and permit their easy removal. While the Weight I-I serves an excellent purpose as a resistant, it is to be understood that a slide or resistant of any other construction maybe substituted.

It is to be noted that the stick or receiver herein shown is intended to be fastened permanently to the machine immediately in front of the operator at the keyboard, so that the matrices will at all times be maintained in full View of the operator and in position to be conveniently selected by hand for transfer to the composing devices of the machine. It is also to be noted that the stick or receiver is open at the top and the front, so that although the matrices are assembled in line in close order they may be lifted out at the front instantly and Without resistance. It is also to be observed that the delivery-tube B directs the matrices downward, one at a time, vertically, by the side of those preceding them, so that it is impossible for a descending matrix to strike endwise or otherwise against the preceding matrix in such a manner as to affect the thin side Wall of the matrix proper. It is also to be noted that the assemblage of the matrices is in the present instance a positive one and that the line is held in compact order and forced slowly forward as it elongates and closed up as matrices are removed and others are added Without the possibility of the matrices pieing or falling out of position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination with a linotype-machine having the usual matrix-distributingmechanism, the tube B for the delivery of sorts-matrices from said distributing mechanism, the open stick or holder arranged at the lower end of the tube, the yielding resistant in said stick and the feed device acting to assemble the matrices in line and force the line forward.

2. A sorts holding attachment for a linotype-machine, comprising a stick or receiver, open at the top and front, a matrix feeding or assembling device at one end thereof. and a resistant to sustain the "matrices as they are assembled in line.

3. In combination with a linotype-machine, an open stick or receiver substantially such as described, a feeding device at one end thereof, a resistant to sustain the matrices and a tube arranged to deliver the matrices successively and vertically in front of the feed device.

4:. The stick or holder for sorts-matrices, consisting of the bottom plate 0, the back plate 0 and rigid connections between said plates, the plates arranged with a space between them to receive the lower ears of the matrices.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 6th day of December, 1898, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

JOHN R. ROGERS.

\Vitnesses:

M. 0. Mason, JOHN S. PAULSEN. 

